The Key to Success in Chinuch
Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow Rav Yitzchak bar Bisna was the gabbai in charge of opening the doors to the beis midrash. He did his job without fail, until one fateful day when he lost his keys. He realized on Shabbos that he had dropped the keys in a public thoroughfare. He could not carry the keys […]
Left Foot, Right Foot
Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow Lefties have it hard in a world that is made for righties. Starting in school, students encounter desks that are made for righties. There are one-piece desks where the student enters the desk on the left side and is able to use the right side for writing. There are ergonomic scissors that […]
Yonah & His Prophesies
Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow A scholar was relating a ruling about converts. To buttress his position, he declared that Rebbe Akiva issued a ruling about this very issue. To demonstrate his perfect recall, he said, “I remember that Rebbe Akiva was sitting on this very bench when he issued his ruling. Additionally, at that same time […]
Oneg Shabbos
Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow One fine erev Shabbos, Rebbe Yannai was anxiously waiting for a gift of fruit to arrive. Every erev Shabbos without fail, an employee who worked in his field would dutifully bring a gift of fruit to show his appreciation for his wonderful employer. Consuming these fresh fruits on Shabbos was part of […]
Ma’aser Motivations
Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow The Torah awarded kohanim with terumah gifts. After terumah was separated from freshly grown Israeli produce, the farmer would separate 10% of what remained and give that to a Levi. This is termed Ma’aser Rishon. Talmud Bavli (Yevamos 86b) records an incident that occurred regarding a dispute between Rebbe Akiva and Rebbe […]
Clouds in the Forecast
Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow The Sifrei says that Bnei Yisrael brought the Korban Pesach only once during their 40 year sojourn in the desert. This Sifrei says further that this reflects badly on Klal Yisrael. Tosafos wonders why they didn’t bring the Korban Pesach all those years. He finds it unfathomable to suggest they willfully violated […]
Shkoyach, Reb Noach
Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow When someone does you a favor, a possible response is “Shkoyach.” “Can you please pass the gefilte fish?” “Sure.” “Shkoyach.” What does shkoyach mean? Although it is obviously not a real word, the closest actual definition based on spelling might be “forget it.” So a conversation might go something like this: “I […]
Leave the Rest To Hashem
Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow The Mishna in Yevamos (49a) tells of a mysterious scroll found in Yerushalayim. The Gemara proceeds to enumerate the contents of the parchment. It is not immediately clear what the common thread is to all the facts listed on the scroll. However, one surprising fact mentioned in it sheds light on a […]
Yibum and Tzitzis
Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow Daf Yomi recently began learning Masechta Yevamos. The Zohar in Parshas Ki Seitzei discusses the paucity of Torah that will exist in the times of Moshiach. The Zohar refers to someone who mastered Shas as an “ani,” a pauper. Ani is spelled “Ayin-Nun-Yud.” The Zohar explains that this word is an acronym […]
The Great Tefillin Divide
Rabbi Avrohom Sebrow Rabbi Yisroel Besser once wrote about his experience standing on the other side of the mechitza. He was attending his daughter’s graduation, and the primary event was for mothers only. While standing on tippy toes, he was able to get glances of the happenings. Depending on what their minhag is and the […]